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#1 |
Psalm 23
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 360
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Instrument panel lights
Well I'm in the process of fixing some carb issues I have with my truck but I have a question that I've always wondered.
The lights that are used for the instrument panel...how bright are they stock? On mine some of them either don't work or they are very dim. I haven't taken the instrument panel out to see if the contacts are dirty or anything because it looks like a serious pain. However if thats what I need to do..it would be nice to be able to see how fast im going ![]() I know I've seen some of you who..I guess you could call it "rebuild" your instrument panels so I was looking for some ideas on how to make those lights work...if its even worth it(again I'm not sure how bright they are supposed to be). Thanks ![]()
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71 GMC Fleetside C15(cab), 3/4 ton, 350, Holley Street Avenger 570cfm carb, TH350 trans, Leaf-springs, 2WD. "Peter are you sleeping on the job? No I have a bug in my eye and I'm trying to suffocate him." - Family Guy |
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#2 | |||
Union Electrician
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Posts: 3,356
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You need to first try to replace all the bulbs, easy to do from under the dash and you don't have to take it out. The stock bulb is a 194,but you can go with the 168 which will be a little brighter. If those are still not enough light for your taste, then you can jump up to the leds, they are really bright but rather exspensive for what they are. The stock dash cluster is not that hard to remove, you can do it in under 1/2 hour.
Hope this helps a little, Randy
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Last edited by byrd; 05-14-2005 at 06:42 AM. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Joppa, Maryland
Posts: 4,408
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I'm interested in doing the same thing with LEDs. What is the LED bulb number?
thanks........
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1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang |
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#4 |
Psalm 23
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 360
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I've replaced many of the bulbs but like I said some of them either don't work or are very dim.
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71 GMC Fleetside C15(cab), 3/4 ton, 350, Holley Street Avenger 570cfm carb, TH350 trans, Leaf-springs, 2WD. "Peter are you sleeping on the job? No I have a bug in my eye and I'm trying to suffocate him." - Family Guy |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lilburn, GA
Posts: 209
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I tried 168's and considered LED's but they they will not dim using the headlight knob. I finally went 168's and repainted the inside relective part of the cluster white instead of the greenish color. My dash is MUCH brighter. I have to dim it when I'm on the highway at night.
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#6 |
#16876
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Auburn WA
Posts: 12,266
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I'd throw in a new headlamp switch. Its cheap, and its also possible the dimmer connections within the switch are worn out. Let me know if this helps.
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Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. "I love that old car smell" ![]() Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. |
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#7 |
Psalm 23
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 360
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I don't think its the dimmer...just because when I hook up my tach to it, I can make it really bright or turn it off, so I'm pretty sure the dimmer is working.
Could the connections just be bad...I'm think maybe if I pulled the instrumnet panel out and cleaned the rust and junk of the connections maybe it will work. I don't know though, I've never done this before so I'm not even sure if that would matter.
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71 GMC Fleetside C15(cab), 3/4 ton, 350, Holley Street Avenger 570cfm carb, TH350 trans, Leaf-springs, 2WD. "Peter are you sleeping on the job? No I have a bug in my eye and I'm trying to suffocate him." - Family Guy |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lilburn, GA
Posts: 209
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I would pull the guage panel and check the printed circuit and bulbs. It's really not hard to get out. These dashed never were bright like the newer trucks. The bulbs either work or they don't. I even tried Xenon bulbs. Swapping to 168's and painting the green surfaces white was the best solution for me. There was a thread about this a few months ago.
Last edited by 71Shortbed; 05-14-2005 at 11:38 PM. |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 901
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The stock 194 is 2 candle power output; replacement 168's output 3 candle power. A 1/3 increase in brightness and quite noticeable... The 168's work great for the side marker lites also....
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'71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal). |
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#10 |
Born a Chevy Man
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Navarre, Florida
Posts: 10,221
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Check out this web site. www.whitegauges.net
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John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 *1986 Chevy SWB Silverado *1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) ![]() ![]() If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! ![]() GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS |
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